Ronan Curtis


Ronan Curtis is an Irish professional footballer who plays as either a left winger or striker for League One club Portsmouth and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Curtis started his career with Derry City in 2015, spending four seasons there and amassing 100 appearances and 24 goals. He agreed a deal with Portsmouth in May 2018 and joined the South Coast club for a fee believed to be approximately £100,000. In March 2019, he won his first senior honour, the EFL Trophy.
He represented Ireland at under-21 level before making his senior debut in November 2018 in a 0–0 draw against Northern Ireland.

Club career

Derry City

Curtis moved to Derry City's academy in 2014, after playing for Kildrum Tigers and Swilly Rovers. He made his senior debut for the club on 8 May 2015, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 home loss against Galway United.
Curtis scored his first goal for Derry on 30 October 2015, netting his team's first in a 4–2 away loss against Longford Town. On 25 November, he signed a two-year contract extension, and scored a brace in a 2–2 home draw against Shamrock Rovers on 27 September of the following year.
On 19 February 2017, Curtis signed a new contract extension with the Candystripes. He finished the campaign with eight goals in 32 appearances, and had a move to Swedish side Östersunds FK cancelled in August after failing to agree personal terms.
On 7 May 2018, amid high interest from Portsmouth, Curtis scored a hat-trick in a 7–3 home routing of Shelbourne, taking his side to the semi-finals of the League of Ireland Cup.

Portsmouth

On 22 May 2018, League One side Portsmouth agreed a deal to sign Curtis from Derry City, for a transfer fee in the region of £100,000 on a two-year contract. Curtis made his English Football League debut at Fratton Park on 4 August, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 victory over Luton Town. A week later, he scored his first two goals in a 2–1 win at Blackpool. On 31 March 2019, he won his first piece of silverware when Portsmouth won the 2018–19 EFL Trophy, defeating Sunderland 5–4 on penalties following a 2–2 draw after extra time.
On 20 August 2019, Curtis scored his first goal of the new season in a 3–3 home draw against Coventry City with a header in the tenth minute.

International career

Although born in England, Curtis grew up in St Johnston, Donegal and has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 and senior level. On 7 September 2018, Curtis scored his first international goal in a 1–1 draw against Kosovo in the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying stage.
Received the ROI under 21's player of the year 2018
On 9 September 2018, Curtis was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly match against Poland two days later, in which he was an unused substitute. He was again added to the Ireland squad on 14 October for a UEFA Nations League encounter against Wales. He made his full Ireland debut on 15 November 2018, coming on as a half-time substitute for Callum O'Dowda in a goalless friendly against Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Personal life

Curtis was born in London. He is the godson of Chris Coleman, who played for and managed Wales. Curtis supported Arsenal while growing up, but also watched Crystal Palace games. Curtis' mother is from Derry and his grandfather is from Cork, meaning Curtis was eligible to play for England, the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland until making his competitive Ireland debut against Denmark in Aarhus in November 2018. Curtis is the youngest of 11 siblings.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Portsmouth
*